K&L Staff Recommendations

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "*Top 50 Spirits of 2011* There’s no mistaking this classic apéritif, from the vibrant melted lipstick-red color to the distinctive signature bitter finish, clean, clear and strong. It’s high, bitter and faintly floral-fruity in scent. Americanos and Negronis wouldn’t be the same without this jewel-like spirit."K&L Notes:
From the producer: "A unique and unmistakable recipe has characterized Campari, the aperitif par excellence, for over 150 years. The inimitable Campari recipe, used as the basis of many cocktails served worldwide, has been kept the same since its i...
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Fernet Branca is an Italian amaro developed in 1845. The family's secret recipe still has never been disclosed, but what they can tell you is that it is a combination of 27 different herbs picked in four continents and aged for more than a year in oak casks. Perfect as a digestive, try it with your meal.

92 points Wine Enthusiast: "A classic, can’t-go-wrong workhorse spirit that provides a versatile option for a wide range of cocktails. This clear liqueur has a bright, true orange scent with a hint of bitter orange on the aroma. The flavor mix is of candied orange slices and lightly bitter orange peel. The finish is warm and clean. Good balance." (2/2012)K&L Notes: A must-have classic.

*5 Stars from Paul Pacult - Highest Recommendation!* Gran Classico Bitter is based on the original Bitter of Turin recipe dating from the 1860s. This classic aperitif is artisanal-made in a small Swiss distillery from an infusion of numerous herbs and roots including bitter orange peel, wormwood, gentian, rhubarb, and other aromatic plants. Gran Classico Bitter’s color is a natural result of the herbs and plants infused into pure grain spirit produced to the highest Swiss standards and is not artificially colored in any way. It is amazingly complex and ...
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96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Tawny and bright in the glass, this mellow, bittersweet beauty offers caramel and vanilla, braced by allspice and bitter orange. Although Nonino is best known for its grappas, this amaro, flavored with herbs from the mountains of Friuli, is worth seeking out. Consider it for dessert pairings or an edgy spin on a negroni." (4/2014)K&L Notes:
From Distillatori Nonino in Italy's Friuli. This amaro is a grape distillate infused with herbs and aged in barrique, the Quinessentia Amaro Nonino shows fragrant mountain herbs. It's delicious as an aperitivo served with a slice...
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Originally created in 1823 by James Pimm of Kent to be served as a digestif, Pimm's Original Gin Sling was the first "House Cup" at London's popular Oyster Bar, thus the spirit's name: Pimm's No. 1 Cup. A special blend of herbs, liqueurs and quinine were steeped in gin and paired with oysters on the half shell. As the brand's reputation grew, other Pimm's Cups were developed, each based on different spirits, including vodka and brandy, but only the gin-based cup is available in the US today. The iconic cocktail, appropriately named Pimm's Cup, has been a...
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93 points Wine Enthusiast: "New to the U.S. market in 2012, this 'dry' Curaçao is intriguing and should work well as a sophisticated sweetener alongside bitter-edged spirits and darker, biting spirits like rye whiskey. While not precisely dry, this golden liqueur has its vanilla sweetness tempered by a wash of bitter orange. The scent is rich and agave-like, with a touch of mezcal-like funkiness." (2/2012)K&L Notes: Designed by renowned cocktailian David Wondrich, this is perhaps the finest orange liqueur available for mixing. Try it in a Sidecar or Corpse Reviver for spectacular results.

90-95 points Wine Enthusiast: "The bouquet is lovely, balanced, properly astringent, ripe and juicy with scents of cherry stone and cherry juice. The palate entry is decadently sweet and textured with vibrant tastes of cherry compote and cherry preserves at midpalate. The finish is svelte, moderately syrupy and downright delicious. An outstanding liqueur: use it in an Aviation Cocktail." (12/2007)K&L Notes:
From Esquire Magazine: "For every great new bar popping up that knows how to turn out a life-changing cocktail, there are two or three that look like they do but don't. There's one sure way of...
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Pernod's distinctive flavor comes from the distillation of star anise with a number of aromatic herbs and plants. The original Pernod was an absinthe, though because of the controversy that surrounded the drink of Picasso, Baudelaire and Van Gogh the ingredient responsible for the drink's hallucinatory effect was banned. Now absinthe free, this legendary product has become one of the best-known digestifs available today.

Giffard is one of France's highest quality liqueur producers. They're sourcing the highest quality fruits and spices for their liqueurs and have committed to using local ingredients where ever possible. Because Giffard liqueurs are truly designed specifically for use in cocktails, the aromatic profile is the most important aspect of this product. While the flavor on the palate is excellent, the depth of flavor on the nose is second to none. The grapefruit is snappy, tart, and fresh. Incredible

90-95 points Wine Enthusiast: "The first aromatic blast is seductively anise-like, then it mellows, turning softer, more herbal, and plumper. At palate entry the intensely bitter taste of anise both enlivens and cleanses the palate; at midpalate the pleasant sting of alcohol and the zest of rooty/woodsy botanicals make for memorable imbibing. Finishes elegant and smooth." (10/2005)K&L Notes:
While the prohibition of absinthe in 1915 put a damper on wormwood spirits, it created a market for anise-flavored liqueurs like Ricard. With its characteristic licorice flavor, Ricard is a light and refreshi...
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This magnificent Ancho Chili liqueur has been produced in Mexico since 1927. From the city of Puebla, the Reyes family became famous in the region for making the finest liqueur using the traditional chili of the area. It all begins with the cultivation of the local poblano peppers, which are dried in the hot sun. When the process is done, the smoky and spicy Ancho Chili is born. This legendary chili is hand split and cleaned before being soaked in neutral cane spirit for more than six months. The final stages are the blending of the final ingredients to ...
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Ravello and the surrounding villages known collectively as the Amalfi Coast have been famous for their natural and human-built beauty since the time of the ancient Romans. It is so incredibly gorgeous there, that it almost seems unfair that Ravello is also home to the producer of this lovely dessert tipple based on the local lemons. Amalfi Coast Limoncello is an origin-protected IGP product (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) like Balsamico di Modena. Yes, this stuff is sweet, but also acidic. It's a lemonade stand for grown-ups, and there is nothing bette...
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Made from a century old recipe created in 1903 by Berry Bros & Rudd in London specifically for King Edward VII, King's Ginger Liqueur is a top class ginger liqueur unlike any other. Voluptuous yet vibrant, His Majesty used it to "stimulate and revivify" himself. Appreciated by the Sporting Class ever since, we've waited a long time for its arrival. The sublime liqueur's base is Glenrothes Single Malt. Carefully macerated ginger root and lemon peel are slowly steep in this heady and expensive base. It has various uses", as a warming agent on a cold nigh...
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90-95 points Wine Enthusiast: "The vibrant, bittersweet bouquet is citrusy, herbal, floral and earthy. The palate entry is bittersweet, intensely herbal and earthy but refreshingly orange citrusy; the tasty midpalate is marked by heightened sweetness and a more mineral-like core flavor. Finish is savory and bittersweet. Best Buy." (12/2006)K&L Notes:
According to a highly trusted source, this is the closest available substitute for the old incarnation of Amer Picon. (Amer Picon is a highly sought-after cocktail ingredient, which is not distributed in the United States.) What few people know is ...
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A softer sweeter version of the green. Always a pleasure mixed up or even on the rocks. 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Yellow, faintly tinged with green. The aroma is bright, mild and lime-lollipop sweet, although the flavor is more herbal, with hints of mint and anise, and a prounounced licorice finish and alcohol sting. Thick, syrupy and tongue-coating." (02/11)

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Grand Marnier—or “GrandMa,” as some cocktail geeks gleefully shorthand it—remains one of the classics. Although it’s Cognac-based, it’s a versatile match for other spirits, too. The liqueur is extremely aromatic, with lots of sweet and bitter orange notes exploding out of the glass. Look for a warm, honeyed flavor and a nice burst of orange peel and spicy cinnamon and ginger on the long finish." (2/2012)K&L Notes:
The original. Grand Marnier was created in 1880 by Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle (and the Lapostolle family still owns the company) as a blend of cog...
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There may be no better aperitif for an outdoor spring meal than a glass of dry rosé. Then again, I would not stick my nose up at a chilled Kir, either. Made with any ol' simple white wine (Aligoté is the traditional choice, but a Mâcon or Pinot Blanc work just fine) and the addition of a healthy dash of Crème di Cassis, a Kir is refreshing, palate awakening and the barest bit sweet. This Cassis by Mathilde is a quality example, which will add some serious umph to your Kir, though it's equally tasting as a topping for vanilla ice cream.

Velvet Falernum is a longtime staple item of resorts and bars in Barbados, and today for its use in Tropical, Tiki and Caribbean drinks such as the Rum Swizzle, Mai Tai, Zombie, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Corn n’ Oil. It is made from an infusion of spices and lime juice into sugar cane syrup and Barbados Rum. John D Taylor’s Falernum is considered by many as the original Falernum, and is today produced by famed rum distiller R.L. Seale Ltd.

Using a wine base of Piedmonte moscato, this secret family recipe was developed over the last century by the Bosca Family. Using cardoon, Blessed thistle and several other botanicals, the Cardamaro is one of the most unique and interesting amaro currently available. An absolutely fantastic price for a high quality, delicious amaro and a fantastic gateway into this world of Italian bitters.

Roasted Yirgacheffe coffee beans, French chicory root, Madagascar vanilla beans, and organic cane sugar combine to create a coffee liqueur with dimension and depth through the added step of gentle, cold maceration. The NOLA Coffee Liqueur intrigues, engages the senses, and invites you to let go of expectations and give yourself over to a wholly delicious experience.

The elusive Génépy (Génépi) from Dolin is a type of liqueur that has long been sought-after, but only recently become available in the US. Its character is derived from the various alpine shrubs of the genus Artemisia. More commonly known as wormwood, Genepi is an iconic alpine botanical associated with the kingdom of Savoy and the regions in France, Switzerland, and Italy that once made up that kingdom. It's been used for centuries to flavor liqueurs, digestifs and various tonics. The flavor profile falls somewhere in between modern absinthe and chartre...
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Well, I've only been waiting my entire life for this product to arrive. This is truly the quintessential bitter French liqueur. They start with high quality neutral spirit. Both bitter and sweet orange peels are macerated in the base spirit before being distilled. Then they do it again. Wait, then they do it one more time. Then they add more peels, spices, botanicals, etc. A small amount of sugar is used to balance the bitter and stabilize the color. This is the Franco-phonic answer to Amaro and it is so so good. Truly a special treat for anyone smart en...
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This is a high quality orange liqueur that was recommended to us by one of San Francisco's finest mixologists. A selection of sweet oranges from Brazil and Florida (Pera) and bitter oranges from The Ivory Coast and Sicily (Bigarade) results in a medley of notes, smooth and sour altogether. The different flavors call to mind the Curaçao Island and the West Indies. The maceration of orange zest in pure alcohol in a copper pot still during several hours is followed by a distillation. The resulting orange spirit is blended with crystallized sugar, water to ...
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Suze Gentiane Liqueur is a bitter aperitif that has been produced in France since 1889, but we're just getting it at K&L now! Lightly sweet with plenty of gentian bitterness, this is the perfect ingredient for a white negroni, or just plain soda water.

Rothman & Winter's Crème De Violette Liqueur is one of the great mixing agents now available. All you need is a little gin and a lemon, and you've got a delicious and sophisticated cocktail. Elegant in its simplicity, this authentic alpine liqueur captures the fragrance, vibrant colors, and taste of the native wildflowers found in the Alps - the Queen Charlotte and March violets. Use it in classic cocktails such as the Blue Moon or Aviation, or enjoy as an ingredient in continental cuisine.

Only the second domestically produced Fernet available, SF's local Fernet producer has knocked it out of the park. It's got everything you love about the Branca and nothing you don't! Gone is the hard edged menthol flavors, replaced by cinnamon and subtle bitter roots ALL sourced locally. The ingredients list is made of almost exclusively native plants with the exception of a couple of classics which are nonetheless grown in CA. Medium bodied with a good deep spicy nose. The palate is forgives, but does not forget! Lots of complex and familiar aromas of ...
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This is the fabulous Kina l'Avion d'Or. Watch out Lillet and Cocchi Americano, this is a traditional Kina Aperitif recipe coming from a hundred year old recipe from a distillery in Switzerland. Richer than expected, it doesn't have the light heartedness of the Americano, but it certainly makes up for it in term of depth. The nose is deeply perfumed and wild! The palate has the perfect interplay between bitter and sweet. This is sure to be a classic.

This traditional Amaro from the far flung Basilicata region is made in the most traditional manner. Using only natural botanicals and following a hundred year old family recipe, the secret ingredient that differentiates Lucano is a closely guarded family secret, but the recipe includes Roman absinthe, wormwood, Clary sage, musk yarrow, holy thistle, sweet orange, gentian, and aloe. Herb selection is the key to it's incredible quality, but no other Amaro tastes quite like Lucano. This one is to be savored, but it will spice up your cocktails as well.

Just in time for the holiday season, legendary Oregon fruit distiller Steve McCarthy brings you his best liqueur yet: Clear Creek Cranberry. I have been anxiously and impatiently awaiting this elixir since I got the chance to sample it at the distillery four months ago. This is not the sugary-sweet, syrupy substance you probably are expecting. This cranberry liqueur captures the pure tart and tangy essence of the berry itself, with just enough sweetness to balance it out. It's juicy, supple, and incredibly addicting. It's going to blow you away and it's ...
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94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Although it appears dark, inky and sinister in the glass, this amaro is on the sweet and gentle side. Think ripe plums, dark berries and cola, with a pleasingly spiced finish and just the faintest bitter edge. It’s enjoyable to sip straight up with a twist of lemon peel, or lightened with a splash of club soda." (4/2014)K&L Notes:
A 60-proof bitter, processed from a secret selection of herbs and roots. Produced according to the same original recipe since 1815. A smooth and delicate taste with a fantastic balance between sweet and bitter. Easy to drink with a pleasan...
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96-100 points Wine Enthusiast: "*Classic/Highest Recommendation* Very ripe, intense aromas of fresh-off-the-vine raspberries; further aeration stimulates a trace of welcome tartness brought on by acidity that perfectly counters the concentrated ripeness. Palate entry is sweet, ripe and juicy; the midpalate is medium-bodied, ripe, sweet/sour without being jammy or overbearing. Finishes long and intensely raspberry-like." (2/2004)K&L Notes:
From the Beverage Tasting Institute: "Deep ruby color. Aromas of warm raspberry compote and raspberry sorbet follow through on a soft, supple entry to a fruity ...
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Using hand roasted coffee from various artisanal producers and made with Chardonnay-based brandy, this spirits smells, tastes and gives you the caffeinated-effect of high-quality homebrewed cup--except this one has alcohol in it. The nose is pure roasted beans and the palate only has a hint of sweetness. Say goodbye to "coffee flavored" liqueurs and get ready for the first true alcoholic java experience. Can you imagine the White Russians you could make with this?

Brennivin is Iceland's most classic tipple. The stark black label and intense flavor, have given rise to the nick name "Black Death," but the traditional Icelandic "schnapps" is all about celebrating life! Distilled from grain and flavored with caraway, it does not have any sugar added after distillation and therefore is not classified as schnapps in the US. This magnificent and enchanting drink is usually used as a shooter, but it's now gaining traction as a solid base for cocktails. It's definitely a bucket list type of drink. You must try it once and ...
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This magnificent banana liqueur makes me rethink all my preconceptions about, well, banana liqueur. It's fabulously aromatic, the perfect ripe banana, peel and pulp. On the palate, it's restrained in its sweetness and has the subtle hint of tart potassium. A lovely effort using bananas of the highest quality sourced from Brazil.

*Five Stars/Highest Recommendation - The Spirit Journal* Known for their Absinthe, Tempus Fugit has made waves over last year releasing the exceptional (albeit controversial) Gran Classico and the lovely Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violette. Their new Creme de Cacao is out of this world. Few things have bothered me more than the subpar Creme de Cacaos I've tasted in the past, but this stuff is awesome. Based on a 19th century recipe, the Tempus Fugit folks have gone so far as to replicate the original cacao and vanilla sources from Venezuela and Mexico resp...
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93 points Wine Enthusiast: "** Best Buy ** The brisk, invigorating scent of this amaro hovers between herbal and medicinal. On the palate, it skews sweeter, with rich caramel and hazelnut flavors and just enough bitterness and baking spice to keep things interesting." (4/2014)K&L Notes:
Leave it to the Italians to make a bottle of "bitter" so beautiful and so tasty, too. This is an infusion, made from a secret recipe of aromatic herbs in alcohol, with the addition of a small amount of water and sugar. The result is a digestivo like none other, and just the thing to follow up an espresso after...
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One of the most delicious and versatile new releases from our neighbors in the Bay Area! The St. George spiced pear uses pear brandy and a spiced pear juice to create a liqueur that mixes beautifully into a number of cocktails, or pairs wonderfully with desserts. Be careful. It goes down far too easily.

The Danish classic is making a come back with the craft cocktail people. It's fresh tart cherry character is the perfect balance add both sweetness and acidity to your cocktail. If you love cherries this is the adulterant for you. You can also sip it chilled or throw it in a spritz without much issue.

Josef Hofer has created this artisanal all natural liqueur. Zirbenz draws its flavor and natural red color from the freshly picked fruit of the Arolla Stone Pine grown in the Austrian Alps. With a taste and nose instantly familiar, Zirbenz is exceptionally smooth, slightly sweet, and has a crisp pine floral finish. Generations of mountaineers practiced in the art of harvest work and must ascend to high elevations then climb the trees to pick this wild pine fruit fresh. 35% ABV The Austrian Martini INGREDIENTS: 2 ounces Tanqueray Gin 1 ounce Noilly Pr...
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There's a pretty incredible history behind Zwack. Born in 1790, the Zwack family eventually founded their recipe into an official business in 1840 and became Hungary's official beverage of choice.The business thrived into the early 20th century until the Red Army began marching westward. When the communists came to Hungary, the Zwacks fled to the United States, taking their recipe with them and leaving a fake one behind for the new regime that wanted to nationalize the company. It's been said that the recipe itself is what got János and Péter Zwack off o...
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Fernet del Frate Angelico is truly a step back in time and a major step up in quality from anything available on the modern market. It is made in micro-batches by hand at the Matter Distillery in Switzerland following an original, hand-written recipe, purchased by the distillery's original owner in 1930 from a long-closed Italian distillery. This amazing liqueur can be sipped on its own, but shines in skilfully-made cocktails, especially the Employees Only 'Fernando' and the Toronto. It is a fantastic, multifaceted substitute for cocktail bitters. Tempti...
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